DIP-7: The Dope Wars Music Initiative

Summary The Dope Wars Music Initiative seeks to create and develop high-quality music assets for the Dope Wars ecosystem, for use in-game and for marketing content.

Deliverables

1. Create 5 original hip-hop songs with both current and OG artists
2. Release a Dope Wars EP on streaming, tokenized by Dope Dao
3. Produce a music video for one song, a major Dope Wars marketing piece
4. License/acquire instrumental hip-hop beats, at least 20 songs
5. Create original ChipTune/8-bit music, at least 10 songs
6. Produce a Dope Wars promotional mixtape with a top hip-hop DJ
7. Continue to produce DopeTV and other music channels

Total Proposed Cost: 16 ETH

Item 1: The Dope Wars EP • Proposed Cost: 10 ETH

The centerpiece of the DWMI is 5 original, new hip-hop songs that will be funded and controlled by the Dope Dao, to be released as The Dope Wars EP via DSP streaming services like Spotify in Q1 2022, and to be included in game play and for marketing purposes.

Item 1: Costs and Timelines

Looking to get this EP produced for 10 ETH. Think of it as 5 songs, 2 ETH per song, 1 ETH for the rapper(s), 1 ETH for the producer

The Producer’s portion will cover the costs of recording, mixing and mastering the songs. Alchemist is our first choice, but if for some reason that deal is unable to close there are other producers we can call on to anchor the project.

Item 2: Tokenizing and Releasing the EP

When all the songs are completed The Dope Wars EP will be tokenized, with a portion of the tokens auctioned off to DOPE holders and the public. Tokens/NFTs would ideally give holders a right to a share of streaming royalties earned by the music. The mechanics of the tokenization and auction process are TBD.

In my view the fairest way to structure tokenization of the music would be:

⅓ reserved for the Dope Dao ⅓ reserved for the artists ⅓ auctioned to the public

Item 2: Treasury Contribution

Auctioning Dope Wars EP Tokens/NFTs to the public will contribute a corresponding amount of ETH or PAPER to the Dao Treasury.

I propose that 33% of the collected ETH or PAPER from the auction be allocated to me, SheckyGreen, for Executive Producing the DWMI. This would be my only compensation for spearheading this project, and I believe it aligns incentives perfectly.

Item 3: Producing Music Video • Proposed Cost: 3 ETH

What an incredible marketing tool will this be, an authentic hip-hop video that truly announces our arrival. I propose that Dan Melamid aka Dan The Man take on the job of video director and editor. He’s directed many fantastic rap videos and a lot of other great stuff. Check out his high quality work here: https://danmelamid.com/

As far as timing, Think 30 days to make the song, 30 days to make the video. Most likely release Q1 2022.

Item 4: Licensing instrumental hip-hop beats • Proposed Cost: 1 ETH

I am proposing a budget of 1 ETH to acquire at least 20 hip-hop instrumentals from viable producers, so 0.05 per beat.

We are lucky to have a number of community members offering to contribute music or collaborate on music for the game. We welcome all these sounds and ideas to the table.

Item 5: Original ChipTune music • Proposed Cost: 1 ETH

We will create 10 original ChipTune/8-bit style beats, probably covers of great hip-hop songs, to be used in the Dope Wars Arcade and elsewhere. Penguin has a great artist who specializes in this style, and he is taking the lead on getting this done. 10 beats at 0.1 ETH each to start—if we need more beats we can allocate additional ETH down the road.

Item 6: Dope Wars mixtape with a top hip-hop DJ  • Proposed Cost: 1 ETH

The job here is: a known hip-hop DJ creates a Dope Wars mixtape in two parts, released for free on the internet. Dope Wars becomes a key sponsor for the DJ’s Twitch streams, for a certain period of time. He supports the project, plays our mixes, plays our own music when it’s ready, maybe some of the ChipTunes, he shouts out the game and drives people to our site.

Item 7: DopeTV and any other music channels that the project may need

We will continue to produce Dope TV, here’s a few ideas for expanding on the platform:

• Adding current hip-hop videos that fit our aesthetic
• Running our own “TV spots” for Dope Wars in between videos.
• Eventually selling ad time to other NFT projects, but we’ll need a lot more viewers for that
• Broadcasting DJs on Twitch and vice versa, “raiding” streams

If the Dope Wars game or ecosystem requires more music channels—specialty playlists, genre channels like pop or reggae or 80s—my company is able to spin up audio channels quickly. There is no charge for these services, we want to make this revenue additive for the Dao.

On the strength 👊🏼 as we say.
~SheckyGreen